Bright Sparks

By Amanda Hogan

Olivia McMillen's senor year is changed when a new boy Tyler Warren moves to town. Tyler's guarded, especially about his past, and as the two get to know each other his outlook on life changes and Olivia's realizes he just might be the love she's been looking for.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Aug 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9781387662371

Book preview

1

Rise and shine guys!  Don’t want to miss your first day, especially you Liv with it being your senior year!

Olivia McMillen opened her eyes and stretched slightly as she woke from her father’s yells.  She actually was surprised she slept as well as usually she was too excited to get ready for school.  Yes, she actually was a kid who loved school and loved seeing her friends.  Plus today was the start of her senior year, so that meant even more special things would as it would be her last.

After using the bathroom she made her way to the kitchen where her parents were making breakfast.  Her younger siblings were already eating, though her sister Gemma was glued to her phone but she was thirteen.  Olivia remembered going through that phase too and she did still use her phone a lot but not as much as Gemma.  Kevin though was eating like he should be and giving scraps to their dog.  Kevin was starting middle school and both he and Gemma would be at the same school again this year.

Her mom laid a plate down for Olivia before she sat down at the table.  So how excited are you?  Such a big year ahead.

Very much.  Still a bit hard to believe it’s my last year.

It is for us too.  Her father said as he got his plate and ate too.  Can you believe we have a daughter this old Tiff?

Not at all Jon.  Her mom replied with a laugh.  I still remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. She said to her daughter.

Ugh, do we have to hear all this mushy stuff?  Kevin asked rolling his eyes.

Just you wait till it’s you.  Olivia teased and her brother shook his head.

After they ate their meals and got dressed Tiffany took photos of all the kids while Jon packed their lunches.  Their mother worked downtown, which was about a twenty minute drive, so their father took them to and from school since he worked at a local mechanic shop in their town.  Tiffany kissed all her kids and wished them well, and then kissed her husband before heading off to work.

As Jon drove the kids Olivia seemed to pay more attention to their little town.  It was so quiet on the outskirts of Columbus, Ohio.  It looked like one of those lovely small towns you saw on Gilmore Girls and similar shows.  Everyone knew everyone and the community was so close.  It was something you rarely saw in real life anymore but Oliva was grateful for it.

They dropped off the younger kids first at the middle school before Jon pulled up to the high school.  Best of luck kiddo.  He said as he hugged his daughter.

Thanks Dad.  Love you.  Olivia said before she got out of the car.  She looked around at the familiar faces of her classmates and the new ones of the freshmen as he headed into the building.  Having already gotten her schedule she knew where to go to find her locker and which class for homeroom.  It wasn’t too hard to find and she put a few things and her lunch in her locker.  She’d decorate it more towards the end of the day.

Hey Liv!

She turned and saw her best friend Camila Martinez running towards her with her dark hair perfectly framing her face in a way Olivia’s curly, blonde hair never did.  Cami, hi!

The girls hugged as if they hadn’t seen each other in years, when in reality it’d only been a few weeks while Cami saw her extended family in Argentina.  I had such an amazing time!  Can’t wait to tell you all about it at lunch!

The pictures looked amazing.  Olivia replied.

Still can’t believe it’s now our last first day.  Cami said with a hint of sadness.

I know and we’ll have a lot of lasts this year.

The bell rang to warn the students to get ready for class to start in five minutes.  Well, I’m off to AP calc.  Oliva said.

Ew, math first period.  Cami shook her head.

I like math.  Olivia said truthfully.  She loved math and science and was planning to pursue one of those fields in college.

Math nerd.  Cami teased like she’d done for years.

Drama nerd.  Olivia retorted back as a tradition between them since her friend wanted to be an actress.  See you at lunch.